Molecular epidemiological study on HIV-1 patients in Hongkou District， Shanghai

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 （HIV-1） subtypes among newly confirmed HIV-1 patients in Hongkou District of Shanghai， and provide evidence for establishing HIV-1 subtype database and precise prevention and control strategy against AIDS in Hongkou District of Shanghai.MethodsA total of 119 plasma samples from newly confirmed HIV-1 patients in Hongkou District in 2016 were used to detect HIV-1 RNA pol gene by using reverse transcription PCR. HIV-1 subtypes were determined with Los Alamos 2022 HIV-1 gene database using HIV-BLAST tool， and then characterized by epidemiological data.ResultsIn the 119 samples， a total of 89 pol gene fragments were obtained， which were mainly classified as CRF07_BC （38.2%）， CRF01_AE （36.0%）， and subtype B （13.5%）. Furthermore， two new recombinant subtype CRF55_01B and two unique recombinant subtype URF_0107 were identified （2.3%）.ConclusionIn 2016， HIV-1 subtypes in Hongkou District are mainly CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE. In addition， new recombinant subtype CRF55_01B and unique recombinant subtype URF_0107 have appeared in Hongkou District. It warrants a need of enhanced surveillance.

Keywords

• aids
• hiv-1
• gene subtype
• molecular epidemiology
• transmission characteristics